It would probably come as no surprise to Swansea City fans that when Leon Britton was told he had been described as a club legend and a future manager, the midfielder looked rather embarrassed.

The 35-year-old has long been a hero for Swansea fans, and it is easy to understand why. But he remains a refreshingly humble figure and such talk visibly makes him a little uneasy.

Nevertheless, this is a man who has nearly 15 years of service in a white shirt under his belt, he has made more than 500 appearances and never let Swansea City down.

He has played for the club in all four divisions, in play-off finals, League Cup finals and Europa League action.

During his initial loan spell in SA1 in 2002 supporters collected money on the North Bank to help pay his wages.

Add in being the personification of the playing identity that helped get Swansea to the heights of the top-flight and it’s no wonder some supporters would like the playmaker to be measured up for a statue at the Liberty Stadium sooner rather than later.

Leon Britton and Paul Clement

This week he has taken the step into the next phase of his career after joining the club’s coaching staff while continuing his playing duties.

It came out of the blue but Britton was never going to turn down the chance to help his club.

The accolades and tributes mean a lot to Britton, but they do not define how he views himself. Ego does not come into play.

It is no different when head coach Paul Clement tipped his former club captain as a man who will one day fill the hot seat and described him as a “legend”.

“It means so much to me for the manager to say something like that,” said Britton.

“It’s the same with the fans. We have spoken so much about the fans and the rapport I have had with them all the way through right up to being sat here today.

“I will never get tired of hearing them sing my name or them backing me like they do.

“I am sure there are some fans who might not want me as manager but to have me mentioned in the same breath as taking the job is strange.

“I understand I have been here a long time, I have such an affiliation with the football club that people would see it as a natural thing, but it is humbling to be spoken of or viewed in those terms.

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“The bottom line is I want to help the club and that’s why I took this opportunity.

“We are in a tough moment, we know that. We don’t want to be 19th in the league but you cannot pick and choose your moment.

“You have to make a decision on what you feel is right. I would rather we were in the top half of the table, but the opportunity I have been offered is the right one for me at this moment in time. I hope I can have a positive input into the team and get us up the table.”

Britton has always had an eye on coaching. He has worked diligently with the Football Association of Wales as he progresses through the UEFA badges. He has gained hands-on experience with the Swansea academy.

The club hierarchy have often spoken of their desire to keep him involved with the Swans once the time comes to hang up his boots, and initial discussions over his long-term position took place with Clement, chairman Huw Jenkins and owners Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien last summer.

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“Now the players are watching me walking in there with the management. So it is a bit strange at first which is natural.

“It’s always going to feel like that going into meetings and other bits and pieces. I’m enjoy so far but I’m adapting to the role and getting used to it.

“Finishing so late, that’s a big difference.

“I know when I took on the role my days were going to be a hell of a lot different to when I was a player. All of a sudden you’re in a lot earlier and you finish a lot later but I always knew that when I finished football my day was going to change.

“The big thing is not finishing so early and going home and not being able to put your feet up.

“The lads have been good with me, I have had a bit of stick and banter as you would expect but they have also been fantastic in helping me too.”

Brendan Rodgers

Messages of congratulation have come from the great and good of Swansea City’s recent past. Brendan Rodgers, Garry Monk and Roberto Martinez have been among the many well-wishers to pass on their support and offer advice.

They are resources Britton will look to make the most of as he moves forward in his coaching career.

He admits any notion of becoming a manager is some way off in the future, his focus for now is on trying to help Swansea turn around the disappointing start to the season that has left them sitting in the Premier League relegation zone - a place where they have spent far too much of their recent history.

But having seen his good friend Monk head through the exit door at the Liberty having taken on managerial duties, he does not want to dwell on his own potential ascension maybe one day ending his association with the club he has become synonymous with.

“I think that is something you have to have in your mind (that if you are manager you’re next step can be out the door),” he said.

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“You mention someone like Garry Monk and one of the things he found hard was that he knew the day he was sacked at Swansea would be the day his ties with the club came to an end.

“Once you go down that route, of being a manager, it is hard to come back and your time is done. It is something you have to think about.”

For now, any such concerns are on the backburner ahead of this weekend’s trip to Turf Moor to face the high-flying Clarets.

However, there is one decision Britton will have to make when he boards the team coach. Should he sit with the coaching staff at the front of the bus, or at the back with the players?

“If there is a middle door on the bus that would be perfect,” he says with a chuckle.

“I don’t know to be honest. Of course it is something you do think about. Where am I going to sit? Do I sit with the staff or the players on the bus? What do I do when I have lunch? Which table do I sit at?

“We’ll have to see, you’ll have to keep an eye out for me when the bus pulls up and see which door I come out of.”